Steven Jackson should be all smiles after finally joining a contender. / David Richard, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons entered the offseason with a gaping hole in their backfield.

It's been filled with Thursday's announcement that Steven Jackson reached a three-year agreement with the team. The pact is worth $12 million.

The all-time leading rusher in Rams history (10,135 yards), Jackson voided the final year of his contract with St. Louis and joins not-quite-retired tight end Tony Gonzalez on a team clearly in Super Bowl-or-bust mode.

A veteran of nine seasons, Jackson has soldiered admirably for some bad Rams squads and hasn't been to the playoffs since he was a rookie backing up Marshall Faulk in 2004.

Rams owner Stan Kroenke released the following statement: "For nearly a decade, Steven Jackson served as an inspiration for his St. Louis Rams teammates and our fans as he became our franchise's all-time leading rusher. Off the field, his generosity and unselfishness improved the lives of many families in the St. Louis community. We will always be thankful for his contributions to our team and region and wish him success moving forward."

Like Gonzalez, Jackson, who will be 30 by opening day, seems to be in the twilight of his career. But like Gonzalez, he's also known to keep himself in phenomenal shape while bringing a steadying influence to a locker room. And he also finished the 2012 season in style, averaging nearly 108 yards from scrimmage over the second half of the season while turning in his eighth consecutive 1,000-yard effort (1,042).

With Michael Turner in apparent decline, the Falcons ranked 29th in rushing last season at 87.3 yards per game. Turner was released March 1, but Jacquizz Rodgers remains as a change-of-pace option even though Jackson is fully capable as a third-down back and is a far more effective receiver than Turner.